The Way I learnt Computers.

July 2n^d 2006.

During my career life, there was lot of interaction with the computer division, which had mainframes. Though I was familiar with computers and their potential, I did not get to sit on it to be aware of its intricate functions. My inquisitiveness to know more about it from the staff was not fruitful, or the interactions with the software professionals outside my company could make me understand either. They were too technical. At that time, joining an institute was expensive, and to own a personal desktop PC (Personal Computer) was a luxury. My eldest daughter (I have three) who switched to IT (Information Technology) after graduating in Natural Sciences in 1997 (She felt IT would dominate the future) did explain the rudiments in simple terms for me to grasp, but I felt not to disturb her too often. In later years she was my guru and was a dictionary to me in the field. My other daughters too cleared my doubts, but were too fast. At times, I felt frustrated, annoyed. The desire to learn was strong.

For most of the complex problems, passage of time seems to provide solutions. They said time is a great healer. How true it turned out to be!

I joined an institute nearer to my house that offered a package deal to teach me from C to Java at an affordable price. The first class I attended, there were only 10 students, all in their early 20’s – 6 boys and 4 girls – they mistook me as their teacher and treated me with great respect as I looked like their daddy! – I was in my late 50’s. Well the actual teacher, who was around 28yrs or so, felt a little nervous to teach me, I put him at ease. In fact he told the other students that they should take inspiration from me! Alas, his lectures were technical and theoretical for me to understand. Although he took pains to teach, it was beyond the comprehension of a layman. Many times, I doubted my own IQ! Yet, I slowly got familiar with all those acronyms, the software professionals flaunt with pride, through reading newspapers and magazines. As I was in the learning process, the institute went into loss and closed suddenly.

One of my nephews, who was associated with this field, helped me buy a desktop PC on Instalment basis. Yes. It was quite a fortune in the year 2000. It was a pity I could not buy it earlier as it would have been useful to my eldest daughter during her studies.

The day the desktop was installed, I felt elated. I thought I could do lot of things- Computing, browsing, E-mails and what not! It came with only Operating System. No software applications, No connection to the Internet, etc., I resorted to interactions again. “You have to install the softwares; you need to be connected either through dial-up or through bandwidth to the websites and so on. -You should know this dumb head”-they all told me!

Why not the IT professionals come with all these inbuilt in the system? I thought.

Well, in course of time I went by adding all this-softwares and hardwares. In the meantime another Nephew presented a book – Computers Simplified. It was great.

Besides, I also bought books/magazines and with their help interacted with the desktop. It was enjoyable all the while. Though not an IT person, I do not feel out of place in their company!!

In retired life, PC is a great companion, faithful, straightforward, honest and a veritable knowledge hub- only if you are connected to the web, that is if you are online. Yes, in India, it continues to be an expensive hobby.

How I wish, you could get a system inbuilt with minimum softwares and hardwares for regular use. Just plug it and get hooked. I do not mind paying charges (Reasonable) for surfing. It should be like a TV, Phone connection. The customers should not be made to run to these different providers, whose lack of coordination makes the PC an irritable ornament.

For the beginners, I would recommend introductory books from maranGraphics, (http://www.maran.com/computer_books.htm) whose 3-D visual books are excellent.

Happy Computing.